Heart Health News

Blood Infections in ICU Cut With Simple Measures: Study

FRIDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The use of antibacterial
soap and ointment on all intensive care patients led to a
significant reduction in bloodstream infections, a new study
shows.

The findings suggest that a major change in health care practice
could help save lives, according to the researchers.

The study of nearly 75,000 patients in 43 hospitals in 16 states
looked at different ways to control methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections. These preventable
infections can cause serious complications for patients, leading to
prolonged hospital stays and increased risk of death.

Of the strategies tested, the most effective one was the
simplest and most straightforward.

Instead of screening intensive care patients for MRSA and then
focusing on those identified as carriers of MRSA, all ICU patients
were bathed daily with antiseptic soap during their ICU stay and
received antibiotic ointment in their nose for five days.

As a result, the number of patients harboring MRSA -- not sick
because of it, but at risk for becoming ill later and for spreading
the bacteria to others -- fell by more than a third. The number of
bloodstream infections caused by MRSA and other bacteria fell by 44
percent.

"This trial provides strong evidence that removing bacteria from the skin and nose is highly effective at preventing serious infection in high-risk ICU patients," lead researcher Dr. Susan Huang, medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at University of California, Irvine Healthcare, said in a news release from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

"A 44 percent reduction in infection is very promising for improving medical care and protecting highly vulnerable patients. It suggests that treating all ICU patients with this strategy is beneficial. This approach may make screening for drug-resistant organisms unnecessary," Huang said.

The study was scheduled for presentation Wednesday at a joint
annual meeting in San Diego of the Infectious Diseases Society of
America, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the
HIV Medicine Association and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Society.

The results only apply to ICU patients, and Huang noted that
routinely using antimicrobial soap and ointment in low-risk patient
groups might increase resistance to these products without
significant benefit.

Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until
published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more
about
MRSA
infections.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.